Graduate Education
Graduate education at West Virginia University began in the late 1800s, with the awarding of the first master’s degree in 1899 and the first doctoral degrees in 1932. Over the years, graduate education has grown to become a significant enterprise at WVU, currently awarding approximately 1,500 master’s degrees in 80 fields and 150 doctorates in 42 fields annually. These advanced degrees are awarded for specialized training in the full spectrum of academic programs across West Virginia University and reflect the mastery of knowledge, attainment of technical capabilities, and successful completion of research, scholarship, or other creative endeavors needed for students to advance in their careers or practice in their chosen fields of study.
Please visit our Graduate Education and Life home page for further information.
Admission
For admission consideration as a degree-seeking graduate student at West Virginia University, the applicant must have: 1) a baccalaureate degree with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, 2) met the criteria established by the degree program, and 3) been accepted by the department. This is a minimum University standard. Specific degree programs frequently set higher standards and also may set additional requirements, such as the submission of standardized test scores or letters of recommendation.
Prospective graduate students at West Virginia University are urged to initiate application for admission as early as possible. Follow these steps:
- Apply for admission using the online Application for Graduate Admission. The application requires a $60.00 nonrefundable service fee payable with a credit card. You may also complete a paper application .
- Have official transcripts sent directly to the WVU Office of Admissions from the institution where you received your baccalaureate degree, as well as all institutions that you attended in the course of undergraduate or graduate study.
- Contact the school or college that offers your program to determine additional requirements of that program.
